Now entering its third year, the Silver-Hope Dance Academy has opened up registration for the fall season — and “classes are starting to fill up,” said academy director, Crystal Luck, last Monday. “We’ll continue to offer recreational and competitive programs,” she added. This gives an opportunity for all abilities, though Luck was keen to highlight the successes the academy achieved in competitions last season.
“Our senior jazz ‘Tic Toc’, choreographed by Delaney Hawkes, achieved silver adjudication and ‘Committed to Character’ special achievement award at the SHINE Dance Festival in Mission,” she said. The seven dancers earned high gold adjudication and Most Entertaining at the SYNERGY Competition, also in Mission.
“Our senior hip hop ‘After Hours,’ choreographed by Isabella Alton, received silver adjudication at SHINE and a platinum adjudication at SYNERGY,” said Luck. There were eight dancers in the performance.
“Our junior acro duet, Sydney Luck and Joelle Kim, received the first overall trophy at Star Talent in Fort Langley, top-10 in the PEAK Invitational in Abbotsford, top-five at SYNERGY and top-five in the SHINE Dance Festival,” said the director.
“Aaliyah Campbell achieved the third overall trophy at Star Talent and Judges’ Choice for promising dancer at PEAK Invitational for her hip hop solo, choreographed by Delaney Hawkes.”
Hawkes and four other instructors live in Chilliwack. The other, Liam Mackie, is from Mission — but his time with the academy will be lessened this year, due to a big boost to his career.
“He has gone to Toronto for a lead role in ‘Next Step,’ ” said Luck. “It’s a fictional documentary (about competitive dancing) on Family Channel. Liam is in season six.
“He’s due to be back in September but due to his newfound fame, he won’t be able to instruct as often, so will likely do a few workshops. He has been with us since the beginning — but we’re happy for him,” said Luck.
“One of our instructors, Isabelle Alton, was selected to compete on Team Canada Hip Hop this year. They compete for our country in Brondby, Denmark at the World Hip Hop, Breakdance Championships, Oct. 17-21.
“One of our dancers, Talia Richardson, was selected as an alternate for Team Canada Show Dance,” added Luck. “They compete at the World Show Dance Championships in Reisa, Germany, Nov. 20-25, 2017.
“We were asked to perform at the first ‘Party in the Park’ in Chilliwack, in July and two of our talented dancers did solos. Talia performed a jazz solo, choreographed by Kyera Fedoruk and Darby Link performed a contemporary solo, choreographed by Karry Kozak.”
The registration process for the upcoming season starts with a $30 fee per family, then you select the classes you would like to take. “We have acro, ballet, contemporary, hip hop, jazz and tap,” said Luck. “It goes from one class a week for recreational, up to about eight classes a week — but they’re on the very competitive end of the spectrum.
“We have ages three to 17, currently but we have classes that can accommodate adults as well.
“People can register online at our website, silverhopedance.com, or come into the office at the studio, Monday through Friday, from 3:30 till 5:30 p.m. at 273A Wallace St., above the Mossy Stump shop.”
Costs range from $45 to $185 per month, depending on the age and the number of classes involved, said Luck.
Last year 11 boys were registered, of the academy’s 63 dancers. Luck is hoping to expand those numbers this year.
“Look for us in the Brigade Days Parade, dancing and handing out bananas,” said Luck. “It’s a throwback to Ken James (Brigade Days pioneer and banana prankster) and it’s a healthy snack.”